The Real Cost of Wedding Stationery: What to Expect and How to Make It Work for Your Budget

You may be reading this, contemplating whether wedding stationery is worth it. Firstly, let me say... your wedding stationery is more than just paper—it's the first impression of your special day! From save-the-dates to thank-you cards, these pieces set the tone and theme of your wedding.

But what does it all cost, and how do you get beautiful, bespoke designs without breaking the bank? We have put together a breakdown of essential stationery items, their general price ranges, and how Creative Banter can help make your dream stationery affordable.

Essential Wedding Stationery Items and Cost

While your needs may vary depending on your wedding style and guest count, here are the most common wedding stationery items:

1. Save The Dates

   Save the dates are an early notice sent out to guests, typically six to twelve months before the wedding, ensuring your special day is marked on their calendars. Save the dates are particularly crucial for destination weddings or peak wedding seasons when guests need plenty of time to plan.

   
   
   
   

• General Save The Date Cost: £1.50–£4.00 each

• Creative Banter Magnetic Save The Date Cost: From £2.00 each

  including custom illustrations of the happy couple. Magnetic save the dates are not only a unique and memorable touch, they ensure that your guests never forget your wedding date!

  

2. Invitations, RSVP Cards and Invitation Suites

   Wedding invitations serve as the official announcement and include key details such as the date, time, venue, and RSVP information (or a separate RSVP card). Wedding invitations and invitation suites set the tone for the wedding, offering a first glimpse into the style, formality, and theme of the event. Coming in all shapes and sizes from minimalist to ornate, foiled to illustrated designs.

   
   
   

   

   
   
   

• General Invitation and RSVP Cost: £2.00–£8.00 each (depending on materials and finishes) but luxury, boxed invitation suites can go up to and beyond £30 each.

• Creative Banter Bespoke Invitation Suites Cost: From just £2.25 each, Creative Banter invitations include a bespoke illustration of the couple and a unique and thoughtful design. From foiled to folded, passports to florals, Creative Banter adds a personal touch that no other wedding supplier can!

Typically, Brides and Grooms assume that the less invitations they buy, the cheaper each invitation suite will cost. But in reality, designing and printing wedding stationery costs less in larger quantities.

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3. Order of Service Programmes

   The order of service guides guests through the ceremony, outlining the sequence of events, hymns, readings, and other elements of the day. This can come in the form of cards, booklets, signs/boards, or in our case... newspapers and magazines!

   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   

• General Cost: £2.50–£5.00 each

• Creative Banter Price for Order of Services: From £2.20 each featuring a custom made wedding illustration of the couple, bespoke designs and personalised information. Plus, our order of service newspapers and magazines are not just informative, they are stunning keepsakes for your guests featuring activities and fun facts.

4. Table Numbers and Place Cards

   These practical items ensure guests can find their assigned tables and seats.

   They help the reception run smoothly, especially for large weddings with detailed seating arrangements.

   
   

• General Cost: £1.00–£2.50 per item

• Creative Banter Cost: From £1.50 each. Creative Banter creates custom place cards that feature individual guest illustrations or messages. You can also receive FREE table numbers when purchasing from our collection.

5. Menus

   Menus inform guests of the dining options and add a decorative element to the table setting.

   
   

• General Cost: £0.40 – £4.50 each

• Creative Banter Menu Cost: From £0.45 each

6. Welcome Signs and Seating Plans

   Welcome signs greet guests and make an impactful first impression, while seating plans guide them to their designated tables. They combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. Seating plans can also be sent digitally to cut down on cost.

   
   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   
   

• General Cost: £60–£200

• Creative Banter Sign and Seating Plan Price: Starting from £60 each, or £110 with a bespoke illustrated wedding portrait of the couple on the reverse side.

https://www.creativebanterart.co.uk/wedding/wedding-welcome-signs

https://www.creativebanterart.co.uk/wedding/wedding-seating-plans

7. Thank You Cards and Favours

   Thank-you cards allow couples to express gratitude to guests for attending the wedding and for their gifts. Wedding favours are small tokens given to guests as a memento of the day, often adding a personal touch to the celebration. They leave a lasting impression and are a thoughtful way to end the wedding journey.

   
   

   • Thank-you cards styles: Handwritten notes, illustrated designs, or photo cards featuring moments from the wedding.

   • Favour styles: Edible treats, customised trinkets, or illustrated keepsakes.

   
   

• General Thank-you Cards: £1.50–£3.50 each

• Favours: Priced from £1–£45 per guest, depending on the level of customisation and type of favour chosen.

• Creative Banter Thank you Card Price: From £1.00 each including a bespoke wedding illustration of the happy couple. For a personalised touch, Creative Banter guest illustrated thank you cards start at £12 each and feature a custom illustration and message for each guest! These also work perfectly as name place cards.

8. Guest Book

   A guest book is a timeless keepsake that allows guests to leave personal messages, best wishes, or even a little advice for the couple. Guest books are highly versatile, ranging from traditional books with blank pages to creative alternatives like illustrated prints, message jars, globes or even retro audio phones.

   
   

• General Cost: £10–£200

• Creative Banter Guest Book Price: Starting from £95, Creative Banter offers bespoke illustrated framed guest books and A4 hardback guest books. Or receive a FREE guest book when purchasing from our collection.

How Creative Banter’s Bespoke Wedding Package Can Help

For couples who want something truly unique, Creative Banter offers a bespoke wedding stationery package. This tailored option allows you to pick and choose which items to include, ensuring your stationery matches your wedding theme and budget.

• Affordable Options: If your budget is under £300, you can focus on essentials needed for your day.

• Bigger Budgets: A budget of £600 or more could include your essentials plus extra. illustrated invites, welcome signs, order of services, and guest books for a cohesive and artistic look.

The bespoke package ensures you don’t compromise on style or quality while keeping your costs realistic. Complete the bespoke wedding stationery form and receive a quote of costs in 24-48hrs: https://forms.wix.com/f/7136800619561485196

Why Choose Bespoke, Illustrated Wedding Stationery?

Many couples worry that bespoke wedding stationery is too costly, but Creative Banter proves that custom designs can be accessible. With options like magnetic save-the-dates, double-sided signs, and illustrated guest books, your stationery can be both functional and visually stunning.

• Unique Designs: Your stationery will be one-of-a-kind, personalised to your wedding theme.

• High Quality: All items are professionally designed and printed with attention to detail.

• Memorable Keepsakes: These pieces double as keepsakes for both you and your guests.

Tips for Saving on Wedding Stationery

If like me, you love saving money, here's a few tips that can help you stretch your pounds and pennies.

1. Order in Bulk: Bundling items as part of a bespoke package can save money.

2. Prioritise Essentials: Focus on must-haves for your particular wedding, and add extras if your budget allows.

3. DIY Options: If you want, you can design and print your own stationery. But Creative Banter also offers digital designs on request, for couples who want to print their stationery themselves. This will save you money as you are only paying for the design.

Start Planning Your Dream Stationery

If you’re ready to begin creating your bespoke wedding stationery, visit Creative Banter and explore the wedding stationery collections. Whether your budget is very limited or unlimited, there’s a package to fit your needs.

With Creative Banter’s illustrated wedding stationery, you can achieve a bespoke design without breaking the bank. Contact us today to bring your vision to life!